Apparatus for making variegated glass



March 17. 1925. 1,529,948

. l. H. FREEsE APPARATUS FOR MAKING' VARIEGATED GLASS Original Filed April 15, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 61H01 u M164 March 17.1925. 1,529,948

. I. H. FREESE APPARATUS FOR MAKING VARIEGATED GLASS original Filed April 15, 1922 s sheets-sheet 2 awo: nur

'March 17. 1925.

l. H. FREI-:SE

APPARATUS FOR MAKING VARIEGATED GI.ASS

original Filed April 15, 1922 3 sheets-sheet a 1y/MMM /'aj-. Www@ Patented Mar..f17, 1925, I

^ UNITED sTATEs ma' H. ramen, or cLAaxsBUBG,

FOB MAKING VABIEGATED GLASS.

Original application illed April 15,' 1922, Serial No. 553,145. Divided and 5, 1923. Serial No. 622,864.

To au (whom t may comm.'

Be it known that I, IRA H. FnEEsn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clarksburg, in the county 'of Harrison and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Making Variegated Glass, of which the following is a full, clear, .and exact description.

My invention relates to what is believed 1 to be an entirely new apparatus for making variegated glass, and one of the advantages of my invention is that such glass may be v produced while it is` flowing in a stream fromthe furnace or iiow spout. This a pli- .cation is a division of my application erial Number 553,145, filed April 15, 1922.

The invention relates more (particularly to the manufacture of variegate bles, though, of course, it 'is not limited thereto; and by the apparatus to be described herein glass or other coloring substance of any desired colormay be injected into the center ofthe flowing glass stream, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manu- .25 facture of marbles or similar articles, and 1 producing many other advantageous results,

which need not be mentioned herein, as they will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I will now describe two particular forms of apparatus, it being understood that thoseA skilled in the art may make many changes` and modifications therein without departin fromtth'e spirit of my invention as define in the appended claims; and the drawings 36 forming part of this specification are, therefore, to considered merely as illustrative 'and not in any limiting sense. In the drawings: v f Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view 40 through the flow spout taken on line 1,-1 of Figure 2; parts being broken away to more clearly show the construction.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the flow spout, containers, and operating mechanism; parts being in section.

F1 re 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectionaview through the furnace and ow glass mary numeral 6, is mounted in the spout tion.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the containers and the oper-- ating mechanism, and l Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawin numerall indicates genera y a conventional glass melting tank, having the usual ilow spout 2, which is provided with one or more flow holes 3, in which are arranged removableV bushings 4 of refracto material. Molten glass flows through the t roat 5 'into the flow 'spout 2, maintaining a certain level um application mea umn the containers beingfshown in elevatherein, and iiowingv-out throu h the ilow holes to molds or other formmg devices.

ConventionalI shears 4 arepositioned below the flow holes, andare adapted to be operated at predetermined intervals to sever the glass stream in the well known manner. The structure thus `far described is old and well known in the art, and further description thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

In the drawings I have shown the flow spout as provided, with' four flow holes, and appropriate mechanism associated with eachv of the flow holes; but, of course, it is not myy intention to be limited to any particular number of flow holes, and I may use either a greater or lesser number than the number shown; and, as the mechanism associated with the four iiow holes is identical, a description of one Iwill be suiicient.`

fI will first describe the meansf which I have provided for controlling the ilow vof molten lass from the flow spout, through tihe liow cles, to the molds or other forming evices. y

A container valve, indicated ilgenerally by i ow spout in al1 ent with the flow hole, and has a va ve the lower portion thereof, the lower endfof stem 7 projecting downwardly from y i the stem being rounded or otherwise vformed to seat against thebushing 4 and close the more in detail, f

flow. hole or orifice l3, when the container valve is lo-wered.

The container' valve extends through a suitable opening* 8 provided in the top ofv 'the flow spout, and is flanged adjacent its upper end, as indicated by numeral 9. The container valve is carried by a ring 10 adapted to abut against the flange 9; the ring being provided vwith diametrlcally opposed projections ,11. toA which the' lower ,ends of the links 12- are attached.

A lever 13 is fulcrumed on a shaft 14, the

shaft being supported in any desired man-V opening provided in the bracket 19. The rod 18 is screw threaded adjac'ent its lower end, and mounted thereon abutting the lower face of the bracket is a hand wheel 20 or other Suitable operating means. The lever 13 is preferably provided with a counterbalance weight 21.

The means for operating the container valve will be rclearly understood from theforeging description. It is only necessary to rotate the hand wheel 20 in the proper direction to lift the container valve, thereby unseatin the valve 7 and permitting the molten g ass to flow through the fiow holes tothe molds or other forming devices. By rotating the hand wheel in the opposite direction the container valve is lowered and the-valve is seated, thereby shutting off .the flow of molten glass. While I have described a specific means for operating the container valve, it is to be c early understood that the invention is in no way limited to such means, and I may substitute such other operating means that I may in the future prefer.

Thus far` I have described only the apparatus for controlling the fiow of molten glass from the flow spoilt to the molds. I will now describe the means by which molten glass or other-substance Oadierent color or composition is injected into the flowing stream.

The valve 6 has been termed a container lvalve, for the reason that it has the dual function of being a container or receptacle for the molten glass of different color, and also being a valve to control the iow yof glass through the flow hole.

The container valve is preferably made of some refractory materia and as shown in the drawings it is circular in crosssection,

though obviously it may have any desired cross-sectional shape.' e lowerl portion of the container valve, constituting the valve adjustable valve stem, has apassage 22- extending there` through, the Passage communicating with the .interior o the enlarged portion of the container valve, rwhich is the container proper, and is indicated bythe numeral 23.

The container is o en at the top to permit charges to be supplied thereto as required.l If desired, a cover may be employed, and in the drawings I have indicated a cover in use, the particular cover shown being in two parts and referred to by numeral 24.

For thepurpose of controlling the flow of the molten glass from the container through the passage 22, I have provided a vertically lug 25. This valve plug is pivotally attaoli v desired means, such as by links 27 and pins 2 8. f l

The lever 26 is shown as fulcrumed between projections 29, which are preferably cast integral with llever 13. A rod 30 is pivotally attached to the lever26 and ex-r tends downwardly through a passage in the lever 13; the lower ortion of the rod being screw threaded and aving al hand wheel 3l, or other suitable operatingmeans, mounted thereon. A spacing collar 32 is ni'ounted on the rod 30, and extends from the -hand wheel 31 to the lever 13, the upper end of the collar being beveled to permit relative movement between the collar and the Alever 13. The lever 26 is preferably provided with a counterbalance weight 33.

'Ihe means for operating the valve plug 25 will be clearly understood from the foregoing description. By .rotating the hand wheel 31, or other operating means, in one direction, the plug will be lifted, thereby unseating the valve and permitting the molten glass in the container to flow therefrom through the passage 22. While by rotating the hand wheel in the `opposite direction the plug will be lowered, seating the valve, and shutting off the fiow of glass from the container. Of course, I may substitute any other desirable means for controlling the passage 22. and the invention is in no way limited to the 'particular valve and operating means shown and described.

However, itl is to be noted in connection with the specific operating means disclosed herein that the levers 13 and A26 are so related that if the lever 13 and the contalner valve carried thereby are raised or lowered a certain distance, then the lever 26 and the valve plug carried thereby will be ralsed or lowered a like distance. So that if the parts are in the position as shown in the right hand container valve of Figure 1, and the hand wheel 20 is rotated to lift the container valve, then the glass in the flow spout will be free to How out through the flow hole;

ed to a lever 26 by anybut the valvelug 25 will remain seated valve m'aybe maintained seated, and by ,the

\ operation of the hand wheel 31v alone the A :tlow

will simultaneously flow from the How hole,

'containers will be suiiicient for that pose, but in case additional heat should be valve colore 'glass to flow from the container jthrough the passage 22. And, ov course, by

yunseating both valves, the glass 'from the out, and the glass from the container,

the colored glass from' the containerbeing injected into the center'of the^column of glass flowing from thel flowl spout. It is `thus obvious that b this simple mechanismlI am not-only ab e to inject a stream of glass bf one color into'the center of a flowing stream of glass of vanother color? but also bv the proper manipulation of the mechanism I am able to obtain a stream of glass'consisting solely of glass of either color.

The furnace is provided with fan opening 34, whereby heat is lsupplied from the furnace to the flow spout and containers to maintain the glass in a molten condition, and ordinarily the radiant heat surrounding the pur i to illustrate specifically forming" devices Y Vention'relates to the means for formed into marbles, or 4other articles, by

for marbles or other similar articles, and I have,.therefore, merely illustrated in a general way molds -36.' Obviously,- the inreducing the variegated vglass streams, an does not relate to any articular mechanism for forming the artlclesafter the glass is produced; and I am free to use in connection with my apparatus any desired type of forming device. vv.

From the foregoing description it is believed that my apparatus will be clearly understood. Molten glass flows from the flow spout in the well known manner, and I 1nject into this stream, preferably into the center thereof, another stream of molten glass differing 'from the first mentioned stream in color or composition. As the variegated glass flows from the spoutit is any desired forming device.

' I will now describe a modified form of apparatus which is particularly adapted to combine Aa. plurality of colored glass streams v with the stream flowing from the melting tank; reference being had to Fi v re 5. As the previously descri d figures,

tplug 25 may be lifted to permit the' Anumeral 1 indicatesthe melting tank; nu-Y meral 2, the flow spout; numera 3, the iiow l hole;numer al 4, the bushing; numeral 4', the shears for severing the glass stream; numeral 36, the mold; and numeral 35,1 the burners.

A vertically adjustable gate 37, of refrac-` tory material, is arranged between the melting tank and the flow spout; the function thereof being to. regulate the quantity of glass supplied to the flow spout.

Color pots 38, 38, of. refractory material,

are located above the How spout, and each pot is provided with an outlet passage 39, permitting thecolored glass to flow from the pots and unite with the stream of glass `from the melting tank.

A vertically adjustable valve plug 40 is' Y arranged in alignment .with the outlet passage 39 of each pot, whereby the flow of the colored glass lfrom the pots is controlled. A

A similar valve plug 41 is arranged in alignment with the flow hole 3 of the'ow spout 2. yIt'is not deemed necessary to illustrate. means for operating the valve plugs, as any desirable means may be employed.

Itis believed that the o eration of the apparatus will be obvious rom an ins ection of the drawings. The moltenv g ass flows in a stream from the melting tank to the flow spout; the quantity thereof being controlled by the adjustable gate- 37. As

`this stream flows along the flow spout it i any desired number of ftglass pots, each pot containing glass of a di erent color; that by the adjustment of the valve plugs I may control the quantity of each color supplled to the stream; and by entirely closing certain of the valves the combination of colors may be by e use of the lapparatus described here# in I am able to produce variegated glass articlesat a low cost, and of almost. an ininite variety. v The streams of Iiowingglass a're polygonal in crossssection, and by t at term I intend to include streams that may be circular, oval, lsquare or triangular in lcross-section, lor which have the shape of any of the known How orifices.

In 'accordance I have described whatrI now believe to be iplickly changed. It is thus clear lthat t with `the patent statutes,v I.

iso

It'will 4be apparent that I may employ' the best embodiment of my invention, but I do not wish to be understood thereby as limiting myself or the scope of the invention, as many modifications may be made with,- out fdeparting from the spirit of the invention; and all such I aim to' include in the sco e of the appended claims.

- lhat I claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An a paratus for .producing variegated glass, inclilding means for producing two streams of lass of different composition, said streams eing polygonal in cross-section and means for causing said streams to combine.

2. a paratus for producing variegated glass, including means for producing two streams of glass of different color, said streams being polygonal inv cross-section and means for causing said streams to combine.

3. -An apparatus 'for producing variegated glass, including means for producing a stream of molten glass, andl means for injecting coloring matter into the owing stream H 4. An apparatus for producing variegated glass, including means for' producing a stream of molten glass, .and means for injecting coloring matter into substantially the center of the owing stream.

5. An a paratus for producing variegated glass, inc uding means for producing a stream of molten glass, and means for inecting a stream of glass of diierent hue into substantially the center of the rst mentioned glass stream.

6. An apparatus for roducing glass, in-v cluding means for pro ucing a stream of molten glass, and means forenveloping said stream 1n another stream of molten glass.

7. An apparatus for producing variegated glass, including lmeans for producing va stream of molten glass, and means for enveloping said stream in another stream of molten glass, the two glass streams being of dicrent hue.

8. An apparatus for producing variegated glass, including means for producing a stream ofmolten glass, a container associated with said means and adaptedv to contain Pmolten glass of a different color, and means for vcombining the glasses into a owing stream, said combined flowing stream` being polygonal in cross-section.

9. apparatus for producing variegated glass, inc uding means for producing a v stream of molten glass, a container associated with said means and adapted to contain molten glass of a different color, and means where y the glass from the-container is injected into substantially the center of the4 stream of molten glass. f

10. In'a glass furnace, a flow spout provided with a flow hole, and a container valve arranged in the flow spout in operaadapted to carry a charge ofr glass, .and l means of communication between the interior of the container valve and the How hole. v

12. In a glass furnace, a How spout provided with a How hole, a container in said flow spout adapted to carry a charge of glass, and means of communication between the interior ofthe container and the flow spout. y

13. In a glass furnace, a flow spout provided with a How hole, a container mounted in said fiow spout and provided with an outet out t assage.

1 n a glass furnace, a flow spout providedwith a iow hole, a container mounted in said flow spout and provided with an outlet passage, and a valve plug for controlling said passage.

15. In a glass furnace, a iow spout provided with a How hole, a container mounted in said flow spout and provided withl an outlet passage, a valve for controlling said v passa e, and means for operating said valve.

16.. n a glass furnace, a iow spout provvided with a How ho1e,'a lcontainer mounted in said flow spout and provided with an outlet passage, said container extending through the top of the iow spout.

17. In a glass furnace, a iow spout provided -with a flow hole, a containermounted in said How spout and provided with an outlet passage, said container being open at its upper end and extending through the top of the flow spout.

18.` In a' glass furnace, a How spout pro-` vided -with a flow hole, a container mounted in said flow spout and provided with an` outlet passage, said container being open at its upper end and extending through the top of the iiowv spout, and a removable cover for closing said container.' f

19. In a glass furnace, a How spout provided with a How hole, a containermounted in said flow spout and provided with an outlet passage, said container extending through the top of the iow spout, and a valve for controlling the outlet passage of the container.

20. In a glass furnace, a flow spout provided with a flow hole, a valve for controlling` said How hole, a container mounted in said How-spout and provided with an outlet passage, a valve for controlling said out las lopening the How hole valve.

the container, means p mg the contamer and valve carried thereby,

let passage, and means whereby the flow hole valve may vbe opened without opening the outlety passage valve. v

f 21. In a glass furnace, a flow spout provided with a flow hole, a valve for controlling said flow'hole, a container mounted in said ow spout and provided with an outlet passage, a valve for controlling said otlet passage, and means whereby the outlet passage valve may be opened without '22.' In a glass furnace, a flow spout provided with a flow hole, a container valve mounted in the iow spout in ^substantial alignment with the flow hole arid provided with an outlet passage, a valve carried by said container and controlling` the flow hole,n

a valve for controlling the outletpassage of or raising and lowerand means for raising and lowering the valve for the outlet passage of the container. l 23. In a glass furnace, a How spout"l provided with a flow hole, a container valve mounted in the flow spout in substantial alignment with the flow hole and provided Y with an outlet passage, a valve carried by the container and controlling the flow hole, a. valve for controlling the outlet passage of the container, and means whereby said valves may be operated independently.

/24. An apparatus for making variegated glass articles, including means for produc- 'ng a stream of variegated glass, said stream liem polygonal in cross-section and means for orming glass articles from said variegated glass stream. 25.v A11 apparatus for making variegated glass articles, including means produclng a pluralit of glass streams of different hue, means or causing lsaid streams to combine, said combined stream being polygonal in ,cross-section and means for forming glass articles from the variegated glass stream;

26. In a gllass furnace, a flow spout havmg a How ole, a container' having a dis- 27. In a glass furnace, a flow spout having a fiow hole, a container having a discharge passage, said container mounted in said flow spout and adapted to carryv a -charge of glass, andv a burner for supplying heat to said container in addition to the radiant heatfrom the furnace.

28. In a glass mixing machine, a main tank, said main tank being formed with an extension and providedv with adelivering opening, a pot having a spout supported within the extension, one end of the spout adapted to control the passage of material from the extended portion of the main tank, a plunger movable within the pot and adapted to control the passa e of material through,

29. An apparatus for making'variegated glass articles, including means for producino' two or more streams of glass of different 'co or, said streams being polygonal in crosssection, and means for feeding said differently colored streams of glass to a single forming device, whereby variegated glass is formed.

30. An apparatus for making variegated glass articles, including means for producing two or more streams of lass of different hue, said streams being polgygonal in crosssection, means for severing said streams into glass charges, and means forfeeding said glass charges to a single forming device, .whereby variegated glass is formed.

IRA H. FREESE. 

